Fitting into a new setting and making new friends are probably top of the list of concerns for many children when thinking about starting school. This book, Kites by Simon Mole and Oamul Lu, addresses the idea of fitting in while remaining true to your own ideas and principals.

When David moves to a new town he is in awe of how many kites he can see flying in the sky. Determined to join in, he spends a long time constructing his own, then starts up the hill to go and fly it. On the way, he meets some other children who give him some tips about how to make his kite better, and he goes along with their suggestions. But by the time he’s ready to send it skywards, it doesn’t feel like his kite any more and it crashes to the ground. His new friend was right: “A kite has to feel right for it to fly”.

At home again David remembers the words of his Grandpa, “let’s see what we’ve already got. More often then not, we’ll find the answer inside”, and rebuilds his kite to his own unique specifications. Back at the hill summit he worries that he now won’t fit in with the other children as he flies his kite alone. But then, as it soars above him, his friends’ kites join in one by one, “each dancing in its own way and together.”

This is another book that has a great message and is beautiful to look at. I love how symbolic the kites are, incorporated into some breathtaking spreads.

As children start at a new school it’s a useful reminder that they’ll be at their happiest and most successful when they’re true to themselves. And, chances are, new friends will soon be right by their side.

'kites' is a moving, heartfelt children's book that follows a young boy seeking acceptance after moving to a new town that is a haven for kite-fliers.

what i ended up loving about kites, beside the beautiful artwork, was how lyrical the writing is. it's absolutely beautiful and doesn't ever read as difficult, but there's a fluidity to the descriptions that really fits well with the presence of the kites. i think it can be difficult, at times, for the writing in a children's book to be simultaneously easy for children to process and also for it to be lyrical-- which i don't necessarily see as a bad thing-- but simon mole really succeeds at that.

it's a very important narrative, where our young protagonist's struggle is to fit into society on his own term's, not that of other's, but simon mole treats it with a lot of care, carrying you along to watch him grow and value his own hard work.

The book cover was beautiful, and I just wanted to read this small picture book. But when I started reading, I realized, that the cover looked good, but I am not loving the art style. I didn't hate it, but I couldn't enjoy it.
The story was about not giving up. It could be a strong message, but I din"t felt it. Maybe because I felt that the characters were annoying. I don't know why, but this small book and I just don"t match.

Kites is an unusual picture book, with a dream-like quality to it. The writing is lyrical and whimsy, with flashes of insight and wisdom. And, oh, the illustrations! Bold strokes, vivid colours but still delicate and restrained. The art is exquisite, I loved it. ❤️

Coming to to the story- David has moved to a new town called Fivehills which is far away from his old home. The house is new and big but David feels lost in it. He missed his old home and his Grandpa.

Kite flying is big in Fivehills - every evening the sky is filled with weird and wonderful kites of all shapes and sizes. Remembering how his Grandpa and he would tinker with machines and make whole new things from them, David refurbishes a pillowcase, his dinosaur toy and a few other odds and ends and makes his own kite.

As he rushes up the hill to fly his kite, he meets three other kids - one at a time- who each come up, make friends with David and, unasked, help make the kite more fit for flying.

Does the kite fly thanks to their thoughtful help? Or does it need something special to take to the skies?

Kites is a gentle commentary on life and living- how sometimes, kind friends and well-meant help are not enough; one has to forge one’s own path. Now, this message is correct and admirable, but I do wish the book had stuck with the simpler message that working together yields success, given that its target readers are so young. I personally would want the little ones in my life to value togetherness and solidarity before learning about individualism and independence. This is my only reservation with an otherwise beautiful book.

Recommended for kids aged 6-7 years for self-reading.

Cute illustrations and a simple story encouraging teamwork and determination. I think this book will be more suitable for the boys who like to make things and are encouraged to experiment. Be ready to make your own kite!

This is the perfect book if you are moving to a new place with your child and leaving all those memories and the loved ones behind. Change may not be easy on every child and making friends may especially be hard for some. I'd gladly read this beautiful story to my child on the first day of moving. I'm sure this will give him/her hope and help his/her creative ways to make friends. A kite is not just a kite sometimes and a story may not be just a story.
I loved the colour palette and the illustrations. A wonderful book.

A beautifully written illustrated book. The Illustrations are beautiful and created using gorgeous colours.
Reading aloud is a treat with this rhythmical story. David is tenacious and he is caring, thoughtful, and self reliant but he works out a good way to make friends and that is to make his kite. It reminds me of stories that I've heard about kite competitions in Afghanistan and would love to use this book as a base for discussion in PSHE.

Breathtakingly beautiful and lyrically composed, Kites by Simon Mole and illustrated by Oamul Lu, quite literally warmed my heart!

Set against the dazzling backdrop of dozens of magnificent kites flying in the gentle breeze, Mole's tale of friendship, persistence and new beginnings gracefully dances across the page in a poetic and passionate tone. Definitely a picture book to read aloud and treasure.

This book has the most glorious combination of wonderful illustrations and fabulous vocabulary and would make a lovely addition to any child's bookshelf or library. I can see many opportunities to use this to support literacy lessons: vocabulary, rhyme, rhythm... but also as a PSHE/assembly tool. I will definitely be purchasing this to use at the school I work in!

When David moves to Fivehills, the first thing he notices are the kites. Kites of all shapes, sizes and colours. Everyone seems to have a kite, except David.

This is a beautiful book about making a kite and making friends. The illustrations are stunning, especially in the two-page spreads across the book.

Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for an advanced copy.

David moves to a new house and feels unsettled and unsure. Looking up, he notices kites of all shape, size and colour. Missing his grandfather and his advice, David begins to think about making his own kite, using what he has already.
He begins to climb the hill to join the others and gets stopped and his kite criticised. Though it could be taken or misconstrued as negative, I think ultimately they children are welcoming him and trying to help.
It happens time and time again, with different children approaching and wanting to make alterations to his kite.
He finally gets frustrated and goes home, then remembers a special feather he has.
Adding this to the kite, he feels brave enough to try again, and at first his kite flies solo....and then is joined by more.

A lovely tale of finding your feet in a new place, learning to fit in but also feeling confident to try again when feeling low. Children are resilient and I found this story to be as uplifting as a kite taking to the sky. David finds his place and acceptance.

Gorgeous illustrations soar across the pages.

A beautiful picture book about loneliness and perseverance.

David moves to a new house in a new town, leaving behind everything he knows. He is the only one in the new town without a kite of his own, but remembering something his grandfather used to say, he sets out to make himself a kite. He gathers things from around the house and carefully constructs his kite. As he heads up the hill to join with the other kites, he meets new people along the way who try to help him improve his kite. But when he reaches the top of the hill will it fly?

This is a beautifully story teaching children about the importance of friendship and working together. It also teaches about the importance of memories and how they can help during times of loneliness. I would definitely consider using this book in the classroom, perhaps when new children joined to support others in helping them to settle into a new environment. It would also be a great book to use when encouraging children to use their imagination for construction and creative activities.

I received an eARC of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

David is new and town, and the first thing he notices about his new home are the kites.

This is a story about arriving somewhere and having to carve out a place for yourself. At first, it might be frightening because of the infamilarity, but once you've put some effort in and made a few friends, you might wind up enjoying yourself.

I really liked how the absent grandfather gave David his inspirations and how David got himself out of the bad mood by himself, by daring, by exploring, by trying.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.